Google announces a special Android event ahead of I/O

Google just announced that it will host a separate event ahead of I/O to discuss updates coming to Android. The Android Show: I/O Edition will land on YouTube and the Android website on May 13th at 10AM PT / 1PM ET and will feature Android ecosystem president Sameer Samat. That’s a full week ahead of Google I/O, which kicks off on May 20th.

It’s not terribly surprising, given that the company has spent less time talking about Android at I/O. And it’s probably a big hint that we’re going to hear a lot more about Gemini and Google’s other AI efforts throughout the developer conference. Maybe we’ll even get an update on its Project Astra.

“We’ll be sharing news now to get you ready for I/O where we’ll have even more special announcements and surprises in store,” Samat said. The company noted that Android will still have a presence at I/O in keynotes and developer technical sessions.

While Android was once the highlight of Google I/O — back when the company unveiled new statues for the new dessert flavor name picked for the next-generation of Android — that’s changed in the past few years. Last year, Google talked about redesigning Search around AI, and how Gemini would integrate across Android phones and services like Docs, Gmail, Calendar.